Vesturbyggd:
Young and Fast with
Environmental Vision
„Earth provides enough to satisfy every man‘s
need, but not every man‘s greed“
Mahatma Gandhi
Ásthildur Sturludóttir,
Mayor of Vesturbyggð
Vesturbyggð in Numbers
• 983 inhabitants, growing
fast in recent years, 9% pr.
Year.
• 22% increase of pupils in
the elementary school this
year.
• Revenues grow fast. The
Municipality is recovering
from decade long financial
trouble. Now about 1 billion
ISK annually.
• Seafood, fish farming,
tourism and mining is the
largest industry.
Vesturbyggð
• Established in 1994.
Formed from 6 smaller
municipalities.
• One party in control
since last spring.
• 7 members of the
Council.
• 3 members of Executive
Council.
• 8 standing commitees.
Environmental Focus
• We base everything on
the environment.
• This and the last town
council have a strong
environmental focus.
• The economy of the
area has environmental
focus.
Point of Environmental View
•
„Icelands future does depend on our view in
environmental protection and on sustainable use of
our natural resourses. Substainable use of natural
resources meets the hopes of a modern society. With
these thoughts in mind we will leave the nature in a
good shape for the generations to come.
•
Here in Vesturbyggð we bear that in mind. Every day
we are working towards our environmental goals, it is
not alway easy but every step in that direction is a step
in right direction.
•
Icelands authorities are responsible for the formation
of envionmental policy and substainable use of
Icelands natural resourses. Garding that gate is a
responsibility every community in our country must rise
up to. Nevertheless we always have to bear in mind
that the individual does play a big role in protecting
the environment. It is up to the communities to keep
each and every one aware of how we can protect the
nature. How we use the resources nature provides us
with in a good way and still protected for the future to
come.
Vesturbyggð
Environmental awereness
• Eco-Schools – Green Flag
• On daily basis Eco-friendly
thoughts to all management
– Garbage sortning
– Eco-friendly steps for all of
the communities
departments
• Earth Check certificate for
all of Vestfirðir.
– Important for inhabitants
self-image.
– Important for marketing.
– Important for the future.
Strong activity based on sustainability
• Tourism is growing.
– New hotel in Patreksfjörður
brought new opportunities.
• Salmon framing.
– 2 strong companies in Vesturbyggð.
• Mining (calcified seaweed)
• Fishing industry.
– The core industry of Vesturbyggð!
All companies rely on the environment!
Salmon farms – a whole new world!
4 fish farming companies in the area!
Látrabjarg – National park
• 30 thousund visitors at
Látrabjarg annually.
• National park in cooperation
with the state and
landowners.
• Important to reserve and
protect.
• Strong guidance at Látrabjarg
• Need more research on the
nature of the area!
Side effects - responsibility
• Lack of housing.
– Most Wanted: Building
contractors with guts!
• Lack of jobs for university
graduated female students.
– A better gender balance
needed
• Many of the new companire
choose not to have their
management here.
• Sociological responsibilities must
be as rich as the environmental
ones in a small community.
Overall
• Modern but volatile community that depends
on the environment.
• We can grow faster and welcome more
families-need more houses.
• We need better roads and communication.
• We are proud of our companies and we belief
in our strong emphasis on the environment.